Understanding Detoxing: Myths, Facts, and Legitimacy

Is Detoxing Legit?

Depends on the definition and application of it. Now let me explain.

If you are asking the question: “is detoxing legit?” you may have heard before the dismissive answer of “if you have a liver and a kidney you are detoxing already.”

Healthcare professionals sometimes bite back with this rhetoric when they are asked about it and don’t explain (and/or don’t remember) the full story. I think the reason the eye rolls at detoxing happen is because the word “detox” (while it is scientific) gets co-opted with the generally misleading marketing version of detox. Truth be told, some nutraceuticals can play a role in helping the body to detoxify; it’s the context in using them that matters and the “big health picture” needs looked at for each person.

The human body can detoxify well on its own with its liver and kidneys….. when it is fed properly, drainage pathways are open, and it is not past its toxin processing capacity. This is where a lot of the nuance occurs.

The human body can process the following: pharmaceuticals, environmental toxins, hormones, chemicals, water, air, etc., but it does have limitations and often when limits are meant, toxins are sent to fat cells to stored as a back up safety measure. And of course, if toxin exposure if extreme, it can be life threatening or fatal.

Detoxification is:

a series of bodily processes divided up into two phases in the liver (phase 1 and phase 2 liver detoxification), resulting in end products that are sent to other organs for excretion (phase 3).

When the liver receives blood, it filters and attracts the “toxins” that need to be processed. To excrete these, these “toxins” must be run through both phases of liver detoxification so that they can then be easily excreted by the body via:

• Bile
• Carbon dioxide
• Feces
• Sweat
• Urine

Phase 1 Liver Detoxification:

The first step is “toxins” entering phase I detoxification, which consists of a process of extremely complex reactions done by many enzymes, especially the cytochrome P450 enzymes. After the enzymes work their magic, these “toxins” come out modified and are now “intermediates.” If these intermediates are not excreted and put through phase 2 detoxification, they can create free radicals that cause oxidative damage. Oxidative damage leads to inflammation, premature aging, and increases the risk for chronic diseases.

Side note: If the toxic load is more than the liver can handle – the toxins will get stored in fat cells. This is a problem in the world right now as humans are inundated now more than ever with toxins. And like I stated earlier, at some point certain toxins can become life threatening or fatal.

Side, side note: I advocate for minimizing exposure in the first place.

Now back to Phase 1 detox; and enter in Antioxidants, which can help mitigate the toxic intermediates. Antioxidants are nutrients found in plant foods mainly, and are crucial for optimizing phase 1 detoxification in the liver. Without plenty of antioxidants to help the process, toxins can build up and cause damage to the body. The following are some nutrients aid the liver in doing its detoxification job:

• Flavonoids
• Folate
• Glutathione
• Vitamin B2,
• Vitamin B3
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B12

Phase 2 Liver Detoxification:

Now comes phase 2 of your liver detoxing: conjugating the “toxins.” I like to think of conjugation as packaging it up for shipping; it is a rather involved process chemically speaking but what you need to know is various nutrients are NEEDED. If the body lacks these nutrients, in short it reduces the body’s ability to detoxify.

Some nutrients crucial for phase 2 liver detoxification:

• Choline
• Carnitine
• Glutathione
• Magnesium
• Specific Amino Acids: taurine, glutamine, cysteine, methionine, glycine
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B5
• Vitamin B12

Side note: Food for thought on why people talk and get curious about detoxing. They may hear others say they feel better on detox products. Note it’s often the nutrients in the product that assisted the body that lead to feeling better. And if the product has a laxative effect, it can be the excretion of the toxins that helped the person’s symptoms.

Shipping out the “Toxins”

After phase 2 liver detoxification, these transformed “toxins” are excreted via different exits strategies or drainage pathways. Some “toxins” leave via the blood to go to the kidneys and eventually out of the body through urine (why we need to stay hydrated). Other “toxins” are attached to bile, which next go to the intestines and some are passed when having a bowel movement (and some will recirculate due to enterohepatic circulation making binders a helpful too).

Other “toxins” leave the body via sweat or breathing out carbon dioxide. Having open drainage pathways is important so the “toxins” have “a path” to leave the body and not recirculate as much. If you aren’t sweating and pooping well, that is a high priority. Packaged up “toxins” not leaving the body can trickle down into other problems like estrogen dominance.

In short, research shows and my professional opinion is that having organs alone is not enough.

You need adequate nutrition and open drainage pathways to work with your body to best detoxify. Yes your organs perform the job but they need some tools. Synergy is a beautiful thing.

Stepwise order to best support your body in detoxing:

• Open drainage pathways first
• Proper nutrition including adequate fiber, vitamins, minerals, proteins, fluids
• Correcting nutrient deficiencies when present (so screening will be necessary as many do have deficiencies)
• If problems exist with regular bowel evacuaton or digestion and absorption issues, addressing this too is paramount
• Binders, binders, binders!

This is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the big topic of detoxing; it’s okay to be curious about detoxing and ways to assist the liver in these normal bodily processes. And if wanting all the deets, check out my online detox program jam packed materials, studies, protocols, and meal plans!

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